Iran says it repelled Iraqi air attack on Qom

ByWITH ANALYSIS FROM MONITOR CORRESPONDENTS AROUND THE WORLDEDITED BY RANDY SHIPPNovember 21, 1980

Tehran, Iran
— Iraqi warplanes attacked the city of Qom, the spiritual home of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, but were repulsed by Iranian fire, Iran said. Both sides reported heavy fighting west of Ahvaz.

Meanwhile, United Nations peace envoy Olof Palme met with President Abolhassan Bani-Sadr and Prime Minister Muhammad Ali Rajai, but made no progress in getting them to agree to halt the Gulf war. Tehran Radio said Mr. Rajai demanded the trial of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and told Mr. Palme that Iran had no interest in "common solutions for a cease-fire and a gradual withdrawal of forces." Mr. Bani-Sadr, who earlier told a rally that Iran rejected President Hussein's peace terms and would seek a "decisive victory," told Mr. Palme, "So long as Iraqi soldiers and spies remain on Iranian soil, we cannot accept any peace proposals," Tehran Radio said.